Preliminary findings from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training estimate that 4,000 Rhode Island workers may have been temporarily dislocated from their jobs due to March flooding. The department adds that it does not expect these temporary dislocations to impact the state’s March unemployment rate. Dislocations that continue through mid-April, however, may impact the April unemployment rate.

The department has received more than 250 flood-related unemployment claims relating to the mid-March flooding, and more than 400 claims to date related to this week’s flooding.

Information about unemployment insurance as it related to the recent flooding can be found online at www.dlt.ri.gov.

All Rhode Islanders in need of flood disaster assistance in addition to unemployment insurance benefits should register with FEMA at www.fema.gov or 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585).

The RI Department of Labor and Training offers employment services,
educational services and economic opportunity to both individuals and
employers. DLT protects Rhode Islandís workforce by enforcing labor
laws, prevailing wage rates and workplace health and safety standards.
The department also provides temporary income support to unemployed
and temporarily disabled workers. For more information on the programs
and services available to all Rhode Islanders, please call the RI Department
of Labor and Training at (401) 462-8000 or visit the web site at www.dlt.ri.gov.